CVLTVRE  SCHOOL 


ETHICAL  CULTURE  SCHOOL 
Central  Park  West  and  63d  St. 


ETHICAL  CULTURE 
SCHOOL 


KINDERGARTEN  AND  ELEMENTARY 
OPEN  AIR 

HIGH  SCHOOL  AND 
COLLEGE  PREPARATORY 

AND 

NORMAL  TRAINING  DEPARTMENTS 


Central  Park  West  and  63RD  Street 
New  York  City 


Thirty-ninth  Year — 1916-1917 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/ethicalculturescOOethi 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


History  and  Aim  of  the  School .  7 

Board  of  Governors . 10 

Council . 10 

Officers  of  Administration . 11 

Instructors . 12 

Departments: 

Kindergarten  Department . 15 

Elementary  School  Department . 15 

Open  Air  Department . 16 

High  School  Department . 17 

Normal  Training  Department . 18 

Table  of  Studies . 20 

Equipment . 22 

Organization: 

Arrangement  of  Classes . 27 

Home-Work  and  Supervised  Study . 27 

Reports . 28 

Parents’  Meeting . 28 

Visitors . 29 

Festivals . 29 

Assemblies . 29 

Health  Regulations . 30 

Office  Hours . 30 

School  Hours  ...  31 

Luncheon . 31 

Students’  Organizations . 31 

Publications . 32 

Admission  and  Terms: 

Charges  for  Tuition  .  33 

Charges  for  Books  and  Material . 34 

Scholarships . 34 

Calendar . 35 


History  and  Aim  of  the  School 


The  School  was  established  on  January  2nd,  1878,  as  a  Free 
Kindergarten,  and  upon  this  as  a  foundation  the  institution  has 
gradually  been  erected.  It  was  intended  to  contribute  to  the  so¬ 
lution  in  the  great  social  problems  by  means  of  a  profound  reforma¬ 
tion  of  the  system  of  education.  Its  social  and  ethical  outlook, 
which  was  its  characteristic  feature  from  the  beginning,  has 
become  more  and  more  salient  in  course  of  time. 

In  the  history  of  education,  the  School  holds  the  place  of  hav¬ 
ing  been  the  pioneer  in  introducing  manual  training  as  an  integral 
and  valuable  part  of  elementary  education,  without  reference  to 
its  special  industrial  uses,  and  solely  for  the  sake  of  the  general 
educational  advantage  to  be  derived  from  it.  The  attitude  thus 
taken  toward  manual  training  has  been  sanctioned  by  the  opinions 
of  leading  educators  throughout  the  world,  and  this  kind  of  instruc¬ 
tion  has  since  been  largely  introduced  into  the  schools  of  France, 
Germany,  the  United  States,  and  other  countries. 

The  School  has  also  given  greater  breadth  and  richness  to  its 
curriculum  by  adding,  besides  shop  work,  elementary  art  and  sci¬ 
ence  to  the  ordinary  English  branches.  But  its  chief  purpose,  as 
stated  above,  has  been  an  ethical  one.  It  seeks  to  answer  in  a  prac¬ 
tical  way  the  question,  To  what  end  do  we  educate?  It  seeks  to 
restore,  at  least  so  far  as  the  elementary  school  and  the  high 
school  are  concerned,  that  unity  which  was  once  supplied  by  a  com¬ 
mon  religious  creed,  and  which  in  our  educational  system  generally 
is  now  lacking. 


7 


The  end  set  up  is  a  social,  an  ethical  one.  The  means  taken  to 
attain  this  aim  are: 

First ,  the  inculcation  of  the  democratic  spirit.  The  School  is 
not  and  will  not  be  permitted  to  become  a  class  school.  The  edu¬ 
cation  of  the  rich  apart  and  of  the  poor  apart  is  an  evil  and  an 
injury  to  both.  Children  of  the  rich  and  poor  and  of  different 
races  are  to  meet  together  and  learn  to  respect  one  another,  both 
in  their  work  and  in  their  play. 

Second ,  the  awakening  of  serious  intellectual  interests  and 
enthusiasms  in  order  to  counterbalance  the  pleasure-loving  and  self- 
indulgent  tendencies  which  are  fostered  by  the  life  of  a  great  com¬ 
mercial  city,  and  the  inclination  of  academic  communities  to  place 
undue  emphasis  on  athletic  sports. 

The  School  insists  upon  the  conscientious  performance  of 
tasks,  especially  of  home  lessons.  The  attempt  is  made  to  combine 
the  advantages  of  the  new  education  with  those  of  the  old.  While 
using  the  modern  methods  and  devices  for  rendering  the  subject 
matter  clear  and  stimulating,  the  School  does  not  lose  sight  of  the 
fact  that  each  subject  of  study  should  require  persistent  effort. 
Every  subject,  however  skillfully  taught,  offers  abundant  oppor¬ 
tunities  for  the  sturdy  discipline  of  hard  work  and  uninviting 
drudgery.  The  highest  art  of  the  teacher  lies  in  the  discovery  and 
use  of  these  opportunities.  The  successful  combination  of  the  new 
education,  with  its  emphasis  on  interest,  and  the  old,  with  its  stress 
on  intellectual  labor,  is  the  earnest  endeavor  of  this  School. 

While  striving  to  avoid  the  error  of  laying  excessive  stress  on 
physical  training  and  athletics,  the  School  endeavors  to  give  these 
departments  the  attention  which  is  their  full  due.  The  department 
of  physical  training  seeks  to  correct  bodily  defects ;  to  promote  the 
general  health,  and  symmetrical  development;  to  tone  the  muscles 
and  the  nervous  system  to  greater  vigor,  and  to  secure  grace  and 


8 


rhythm  in  movement.  The  School  encourages  athletic  contests  of 
several  types,  including  basket  ball,  tennis,  and  base  ball.  Physi¬ 
cal  education  in  this  School  is  not  an  end  in  itself,  but,  as  in  the 
case  of  every  other  department  of  work,  is  entirely  secondary  to 
the  ethical  purposes  of  the  institution. 

Third ,  the  awakening  of  the  spirit  of  social  service  by  en¬ 
listing  the  interest  of  the  students  in  the  work  of  the  settlements 
and  neighborhood  houses  with  which  the  School  is  in  touch. 

Fourth ,  the  building  up  of  a  largely  humanitarian  and  ideal 
purpose  by  placing  at  the  focus  of  the  entire  educational  scheme 
toward  which  all  lines  converge  the  idea  of  human  progress;  by 
teaching  in  outline  the  main  steps  of  progress  in  science,  industry, 
politics,  etc. ;  and  by  inspiring  the  student  with  the  earnest  desire 
to  take  his  place  in  the  ranks  and  to  contribute,  so  far  as  in  him 
lies,  towards  the  realization  of  a  more  perfect  future. 

Direct  moral  instruction  is  also  given,  and  this  is  in  charge  of 
Prof.  Adler  and  Dr.  Elliott.  But  moral  instruction  is  only  one 
factor  and  by  no  means  the  only  or  principal  one  upon  which  re¬ 
liance  is  placed  in  developing  the  student’s  character.  The  chief 
source  of  influence  is  the  school  environment  itself,  the  school 
spirit,  and  in  defining  this  perhaps  the  most  adequate  brief  account 
would  be  to  say  that  the  School  is  intended  to  combine  the  advan¬ 
tages  of  a  modern  city  day  school  with  the  peculiar  excellencies  of 
the  best  type  of  boarding  school. 


9 


BOARD  OF  GOVERNORS 


Mr.  Robert  B.  Hirsch,  Chairman 

Dr.  Felix  Adler,  Ex  officio 

Prof.  Edwin  R.  A.  Seligman,  Ex  officio 

Mr.  Joseph  Plaut,  Ex  officio 

Mr.  Emil  Berolzheimer 

Dr.  John  L.  Elliott 

Mr.  B.  Edmund  David 

Mr.  A.  L.  Gutman 

Mrs.  Miriam  Sutro  Price 

Mr.  Leo  G.  Rosenblatt 

Mr.  Franklin  C.  Lewis,  Ex  officio 

Mr.  Herbert  A.  Wolff,  Rep.  Alumni 


COUNCIL 

Dr.  Felix  Adler 
Mr.  Robert  B.  Hirsch 
Mrs.  Miriam  Sutro  Price 

(Representing  the  Board  of  Governors) 

Mr.  Stanley  Ries 
Mrs.  Henry  Neumann 

(Representing  the  Alumni  Association) 

Mrs.  George  Semken 

(Representing  Kindergarten  Alumnae  Assn.) 
Mr.  Franklin  C.  Lewis 
Dr.  Henry  A.  Kelly 
Miss  Metta  L.  Persons 
Miss  Jessica  E.  Beers 
Miss  Anna  Gillingham 
Miss  Matilda  Auerbach 
Dr.  William  E.  Bohn 
Mr.  Thatcher  Clark 
Dr.  John  L.  Elliott 

• 

IO 


Mr.  John  B.  Eyster 

Miss  Susan  B.  Franklin 

Miss  Mabel  R.  Goodlander 

Mr.  Willys  P.  Kent 

Mr.  Augustus  Kloc,k 

Miss  Charlotte  L.  Macintosh 

Miss  Sarah  M.  Mott 

Miss  Emma  Mueden 

Dr.  David  S.  Muzzey 

Miss  Marie  R.  Perrin 

Mr.  Albert  D.  Pinkham 

Mr.  Arthur  W.  Richards 

Mrs.  Eleanor  P.  Stark 

Miss  Bessie  W.  Stillman 

Mr.  Charles  B.  Walsh 

Miss  Irene  Weir 

Miss  Florence  E.  Winchell 


OFFICERS  OF  ADMINISTRATION 

Dr.  Felix  Adler,  Rector 
Franklin  C.  Lewis,  Superintendent 

Henry  A.  Kelly,  Principal  of  High  School  Department 
(Including  Grade  VIII) 

Metta  L.  Persons,  Principal  of  Elementary  Department 

(Grades  I-VII) 

Jessica  E.  Beers,  Principal  of  Kindergarten  and  Normal  Training  Dept. 
Anna  Gillingham,  Principal  Open  Air  Department 
Matilde  Kitzinger,  Financial  Secretary 
Helen  Cox  Gilchrist,  Registrar 


INSTRUCTORS 


(The  following  names  are  arranged  in  order  of  their  appointment) 
Henry  A.  Kelly,  Biology 
*Marie  R.  Perrin,  Domestic  Art 
Matilda  Auerbach,  Mathematics  in  High  School 
John  Lovejoy  Elliott,  Ethics 
Arthur  W.  Richards,  Manual  Training 
David  S.  Muzzey,  History 
Sarah  M.  Mott,  in  charge  of  Grade  I  B 
Mabel  R.  Goodlander,  in  charge  of  Grade  II  A 
Emma  Mueden,  in  charge  of  Grade  VIII  A;  Festivals;  English 
Susan  B.  Franklin,  in  charge  of  Class  Delta;  Latin,  Greek 
Albert  D.  Pinicham,  Gymnastics,  Athletics 
Eleanor  P.  Stark,  in  charge  of  Grade  VII  A;  English 

Charlotte  L.  Macintosh,  in  charge  of  Kindergarten;  Children’s  Literature; 
Story  Telling 

Mabel  T.  Burnham,  in  charge  of  VIII  B 
Ethel  C.  Bratton,  in  charge  of  Grade  VI  A 
Alice  M.  Paine,  in  charge  of  Grade  V  A 

♦Charles  B.  Walsh,  in  charge  of  Class  Gamma  B  and  C;  Mathematics 
♦Mary  G.  Allerton,  Gymnastics,  Dancing 
James  McKinney,  Shop  Work 

Blanche  L.  Birc.h,  Kindergarten  Normal  Hand  Work;  Songs  and  Games 

Willys  P.  Kent,  Music 

Augustus  Klock,  Chemistry,  Physics 

William  E.  Bohn,  in  charge  of  Class  Beta  B  and  C ;  English 

Thatcher  Clark,  French 

Laura  E.  Clements,  in  charge  of  Grade  IV  B 

Henry  Neumann,  English,  History  of  Education 


♦Sabbatical  leave,  1916-17. 


Rosa  E.  Miller,  Fine  Arts 

May  L.  Brown,  Accompanist  in  Gymnasium 

Ella  C.  Greene,  in  charge  of  Class  Alpha  A ;  Latin 

Clara  J.  Seller,  in  charge  of  Grade  III  B 

Irene  Weir,  Fine  Arts 

Elmira  E.  Dickinson,  in  charge  of  Grade  I  A 
Anna  Gillingham,  Open  Air  Department 
Anna  M.  Kellogg,  Open  Air  Department 
Angie  L.  Purinton,  in  charge  of  Grade  IV  A 
Isabel  Smith,  in  charge  of  Grade  V  B 
Bessie  W.  Stillman,  Open  Air  Department 
Louise  Weckman,  German 

R.  C.  Willard,  in  charge  of  Class  Alpha  B ;  History 

Louise  S.  Atkinson,  The  Conservation  of  the  School  and  the  Home 

Alys  E.  Bentley,  Music  and  Rhythm 

Myrtle  B.  Boice,  Nature  Study 

Sara  Feiertag,  German 

Patty  S.  Hill,  Kindergarten  Program  and  Methods  of  Teaching 

Mary  S.  Horton,  in  charge  of  Grade  II  B 

Florence  A.  Marsh,  Music 

Lucy  H.  Mitchell,  in  charge  of  Grade  VII  B 

M.  Ethel  Murphy,  in  charge  of  Gamma  A ;  Mathematics 

Elsie  V.  E.  Pearl,  Assistant  in  Kindergarten 

Maude  E.  Rehbein,  Accompanist  in  Gymnasium 

Caroline  M.  Riker,  Fine  Arts 

Rhoda  H.  Todd,  in  charge  of  Grade  VI  B 

Florence  E.  Winchell,  Domestic  Science 

Augustus  Zanzig,  Music 

Margaret  Adler,  Ethics 

Arthur  E.  Baggs,  Pottery 


13 


Ruth  Eddy,  Fine  Arts 

Marian  W.  Edsall,  Assistant  in  Domestic  Art  and  Domestic  Science 
Helga  R.  Mortenson,  Open  Air  Department 
Marion  D.  Paine,  in  charge  of  Grade  III  A 
Olive  Hedenberg,  Gymnastics,  Dancing 

Jessica  E.  Beers,  Frcebelian  Literature;  Psychology;  Education  in  Infancy 
and  Childhood;  Aims  and  Principles  of  Primary  Instruction 

Charlotte  G.  Garrison,  Assistant  to  Miss  Hill 

Alberta  M.  Newton,  Latin 

Harriet  Strong  Wilson,  in  charge  of  VI  A 

John  B.  Eyster,  German 

John  R.  Rosenberry,  Manual  Training 


Alice  M.  Woods,  Accountant 
Maude  H.  Low,  Secretary  to  Superintendent 
Charlotte  Gabay,  Secretary  to  High  School  Principal 
Hazel  Dryfus,  Secretary  to  Elementary  School  Principal. 

May  Schloss,  Secretary  to  Principal  of  Normal  Training  Department 
May  F.  Rafferty,  Stenographer 
Ethel  E.  Rockwell,  Librarian 
Gene  Vance,  Supplies 

Charlotte  E.  McCormick,  Telephone  Operator 


David  Beck,  M.  D.,  Medical  Adviser 
Ruth  E.  Birdsall,  School  Nurse 


John  Lavery,  Chief  Engineer 
Oscar  Kindel,  Janitor 
Dan  Field,  House  Carpenter 

Katherine  V.  Geoghegan,  Director  Lunch  Room 


4 


Departments 


KINDERGARTEN  DEPARTMENT 

The  kindergarten  forms  a  link  between  the  home  and  the 
school  and  is  designed  for  children  of  five  and  six  years  of  age. 
It  takes  advantage  of  the  instincts  and  interests  of  this  period 
and  through  the  play  activities  aids  in  the  development  of  good 
habits  of  feeling,  thinking,  and  doing. 

ELEMENTARY  SCHOOL  DEPARTMENT 

The  Elementary  Department  comprises  seven  grades.  It  cov¬ 
ers  the  period  during  which  the  child  obtains  an  acquaintance  with 
the  elements  of  the  civilization  into  which  he  is  born  and  acquires 
the  habits  necessary  for  him  to  participate  successfully  in  the  life 
about  him.  This  is  also  the  age  during  which  he  becomes  familiar 
with  the  materials  and  terminology  of  the  subjects  which  later  will 
be  worked  out  in  more  logical  form.  Over  and  above  all  this,  the 
aim  is  to  develop  creative  power,  interest  in  the  world  about  him, 
and  habits  and  ideals  of  social  service. 

The  course  of  study  of  this  School  is  broad  in  its  scope  in 
order  to  embrace  the  varied  interests  of  modern  life.  It  therefore 
includes  moral  instruction,  manual  training,  art,  nature  study,  music, 
and  gymnastics,  as  well  as  the  more  common  subjects  of  mathe¬ 
matics,  English,  geography,  and  history.  Care  is  taken  to  provide 
sufficient  training  in  the  formal  aspects  of  all  of  these  subjects. 
The  study  of  German  is  begun  in  the  fifth  grade.  The  School  com- 


*5 


bines  the  advantages  of  the  class  teachers  and  special  teachers. 
The  former  co-ordinate  and  supervise  all  the  work  of  the  grades, 
while  the  latter  bring  to  the  class  the  rich  knowledge  and  en¬ 
thusiasm  of  the  specialist. 

Care  is  taken  to  avoid  bringing  the  younger  children  into  con¬ 
tact  with  too  many  teachers  and  to  give  the  class  teacher  the  oppor¬ 
tunity  to  be  the  dominating  influence  in  the  grade. 


OPEN  AIR  DEPARTMENT 

This  department  of  the  School  was  inaugurated  in  the  fall  of 
1912  upon  a  plan  somewhat  different  from  that  employed  by  the 
greater  number  of  outdoor  schools.  No  child  suffering  from  a  con¬ 
tagious  disease  is  accepted  and  a  large  number  of  the  children  are 
altogether  robust.  If  the  fresh  air  is  beneficial  to  the  child  in  ill 
health,  certainly  it  cannot  do  other  than  develop  a  higher  degree  of 
strength  in  those  already  sturdy.  The  open  air  department  rep¬ 
resents  an  effort  to  afford  children  the  opportunity  to  do  their  work 
out  of  doors  without  waiting  to  earn  the  privilege  through  illness. 

The  department  comprises  Grades  V,  VI  and  VII,  work  in 
English,  history,  geography,  mathematics,  shop  work  and  domestic 
art  being  parallel  to  that  of  the  corresponding  grades  indoors.  Art 
and  nature  study  are  optional,  and  there  is  a  daily  chorus. 

The  two  classes  that  have  been  graduated  from  this  depart¬ 
ment  into  the  eighth  grade  indoors  are  maintaining  a  high  stan¬ 
dard  of  scholarship. 

The  hours  are  from  9  until  3.  The  long  school  day  affords 
opportunity  for  much  vigorous  exercise  and  play  and  enables  the 
teachers  to  alternate  work  and  recreation  in  almost  ideal  fashion. 


16 


HIGH  SCHOOL  DEPARTMENT 


(Including  Eighth  Grade) 

Although  the  eighth  grade  covers  a  period  of  transition  from 
the  elementary  grades  to  the  high  school,  it  comes  under  the  di¬ 
rection  of  the  latter  and  is  practically  classified  as  the  first  of  a  five 
years’  high  school  course.  The  reason  for  this  is  that  the  work  of 
the  grade  is  preparatory  for  high  school  in  its  nature.  Algebra, 
adapted  to  the  age  of  the  students,  frequently  classed  as  high  school 
work,  is  given  in  this  year.  A  general  course  in  Science,  work  in 
English  literature,  and  a  modern  language  given  in  the  eighth  grade 
furnish  a  most  helpful  introduction  to  the  subsequent  four  year  high 
school  course. 

The  School  undertakes  to  prepare  for  any  college  and  also  for 
professional  schools,  and  will  seek  to  encourage  the  lengthening  of 
the  high  school  course.  It  will  also  keep  in  mind  the  needs  of  those 
of  its  students  who  are  destined  for  a  commercial  or  industrial 
career.  With  its  completely  equipped  shops  and  laboratories,  the 
School  is  able  to  give  an  exceptionally  adequate  training  to  stu¬ 
dents  preparing  for  higher  technical  institutions  and  for  mechanical 
pursuits. 

Definite  effort  is  made  at  the  beginning  of  the  third  year  of 
the  high  school  to  differentiate  the  courses  so  as  to  meet  the  needs 
and  desires  of  the  students.  A  concrete  illustration  of  this  is  found 
in  the  art  department.  Students  particularly  gifted  in  art  are  given 
a  special  course  during  the  last  two  years  in  the  high  school  which 
centers  about  the  art  work  and  gives  the  point  of  view  from  which 
the  other  studies  are  approached.  The  course  includes  history, 
English,  languages,  science,  and  art.  Ten  hours  a  week  approxi¬ 
mately  are  given  to  art. 

There  is  a  credit  system  of  requirements  for  graduation  (see 


17 


special  sheet  entitled  “Requirements  for  Graduation”  for  details). 
Although  such  an  arrangement  permits  a  reasonable  latitude  of  elec¬ 
tion,  the  course  must  include  English, — including  literature,  com¬ 
position,  and  oral  English — history,  mathematics,  science,  ethics, 
foreign  language,  physical  training,  music  and  choice  in  fine  arts, 
domestic  art,  domestic  science,  and  manual  training. 

A  student’s  course  of  study  for  each  year  must  be  approved 
by  the  principal. 

The  athletics  of  the  high  school  have  received  no  inconsider¬ 
able  impetus  from  the  Athletic  Field  (see  special  statement,  p.  23). 

Self-government  in  the  high  school  gives  the  students  an  op¬ 
portunity  to  learn  self-control;  teaches  them  a  sense  of  responsi¬ 
bility  for  their  younger  school-mates,  and  permits  them  to  make 
their  first  mistakes  under  the  helpful  supervision  of  their  teachers. 
This  mode  of  discipline  also  tends  to  elicit  the  natural  leaders  in 
the  student  body,  and  is  in  the  direction  of  character-building,  which 
is  an  important  function  of  the  School.  The  following  organiza¬ 
tions  are  doing  active  work:  Boys’  Athletic  Association,  Girls’ 
Recreation  League ;  the  Council ;  Inklings  Board. 

As  in  the  case  of  other  departments,  the  high  school  is  a  part 
of  the  Larger  Unit,  the  School  as  a  whole,  and  is  separated  only 
for  administrative  purposes.  In  fact,  every  effort  is  made  to  keep 
unbroken,  from  the  first  grade  through  the  last  year  of  the  high 
school,  the  continuity  of  subject-matter,  instruction,  and  school 
life. 


NORMAL  TRAINING  DEPARTMENT 
Up  to  the  present  the  work  in  this  department  has  been  chiefly 
confined  to  fitting  kindergarteners  to  their  vocation.  In  September, 
1916,  a  class  for  the  training  of  primary  teachers  will  be  begun.  In 
a  well  organized  kindergarten  and  primary  department,  under  the 

18 


supervision  of  experienced  teachers,  excellent  opportunities  are  af¬ 
forded  for  observation  and  practice. 

The  Manual  Training  Department  also  prepares  students  for 
teaching.  The  shop  work  in  the  School,  extending  from  the  kin¬ 
dergarten  through  the  high  school,  affords  an  unusual  opportunity 
for  observation  and  practice  work. 

The  course  of  study  in  the  different  years  in  this  department 
will  be  found  on  a  separate  sheet,  page  21. 


*9 


TABLE.  OF  5TUDIE.5 


*Gymn.  work  on  Athletic  Field  in  Spring  and  Fall.  °Optional  in  Open  Air  Dept. 


♦Physical  Training  work  on  Athletic  Field  in  Spring  and  Fall.  Special  circulars  for  these  departments  and  courses  of  study  will  be  furnished  on  application 


Equipment 


THE  BUILDING 

The  building  in  which  the  School  is  domiciled  is  situated  at 
Central  Park  West  and  63rd  Street.  In  planning  this  building  the 
best  recent  examples  of  school  architecture  and  equipment  received 
the  most  careful  attention,  and  the  attempt  was  made  to  construct 
a  modern  schoolhouse  which,  while  simple  in  exterior  and  avoiding 
luxurious  appointments  within,  should  give  ample  scope  and  play 
to  the  complex  factors  that  enter  into  modern  education.  The 
School  is  supplied  with  science  laboratories,  manual  training  shops, 
art  studios,  rooms  especially  fitted  up  for  domestic  science  and  art, 
a  commodious  library,  an  ethics  room,  a  gymnasium,  roof  garden, 
and  a  lunch  room. 


GYMNASIUM  AND  OUTDOOR  LIFE 

A  gymnasium  with  shower  baths,  running  track,  and  adequate 
equipment  furnishes  opportunity  for  indoor  work  under  the  super¬ 
vision  of  a  trained  director.  Provision  is  made  for  physical  ex¬ 
aminations  and  special  corrective  work. 

A  roof  garden  and  an  interior  court,  with  the  advantages  af¬ 
forded  by  Central  Park,  furnish  opportunity  for  outdoor  rec¬ 
reation  and  games.  In  addition  to  this,  field  excursions  are  un¬ 
dertaken  in  connection  with  the  nature  study,  history,  and  other 
departments;  cross-country  tramps  are  made  to  points  at  a  dis¬ 
tance.  The  athletic  associations,  consisting  of  groups  working  in 


22 


baseball,  basket  ball,  and  tennis,  meet  the  needs  of  students  along 
these  lines. 


THE  ATHLETIC  FIELD 

The  School  has  taken  a  lease  on  a  plot  of  ground  extending 
from  Lenox  to  Seventh  Avenues  and  from  147th  to  148th  Streets. 
This  large  playground  has  been  improved  until  it  now  has  four 
tennis  courts,  two  large  basket  ball  courts,  four  hand  ball  courts, 
and  a  magnificent  baseball  diamond  and  bleachers.  The  large  field 
can  be  used  for  football,  soccer  or  hockey.  A  section  of  the  field 
which  is  alloted  to  the  elementary  grades  is  equipped  with  six 
swings,  five  large  see-saw  frames  and  a  playground  slide.  The 
ground  has  all  the  facilities  for  track  and  field  athletics. 

The  Eighth  Avenue  R.  R.  Company  runs  special  cars  from 
the  School  to  the  field  and  children  of  the  elementary  grades  may 
return  to  the  School  under  the  supervision  of  a  teacher. 

During  the  spring  and  fall  the  organized  work  at  the  field, 
under  the  instruction  of  the  physical  directors  and  assistants,  takes 
the  place  of  the  gymnastic  work  of  the  School  for  all  pupils  above 
the  third  grade.  This  outdoor  work  is  offering  great  opportuni¬ 
ties  to  the  boys  and  girls  in  the  way  of  organized  play  and  the  play¬ 
ground  is  a  great  boon  to  the  New  York  boys  and  girls  who  are 
privileged  to  use  it. 


LIBRARY 

The  School  has  a  collection  of  about  nine  thousand  five  hun¬ 
dred  volumes,  a  characteristic  feature  of  which  is  its  collection  of 
festival  material.  This  consists  of  books,  pamphlets,  photographs, 
posters,  and  programs.  Most  of  the  departments  involved  in  festi¬ 
val  performances,  including  those  of  literature,  music,  costuming, 
dancing,  etc.,  are  represented. 


23 


In  connection  with  the  kindergarten  normal  course  a  good 
collection  of  educational  books  and  of  kindergarten  stories  is  main¬ 
tained. 

Beginning  this  year,  also,  a  course  of  instruction  in  the  use  of 
the  library  has  been  given  by  the  librarian.  The  fifth,  sixth,  and 
seventh  grades  of  the  elementary  school  have  been  instructed  in 
the  make-up  of  books,  the  care  of  them,  the  use  of  the  dictionary, 
and  some  of  the  more  important  reference  works.  The  seventh 
grade  pupils  have  been  taught  the  use  of  the  card  index  and  the 
classification  of  books.  High  school  pupils  have  been  given  general 
instructions  designed  to  enable  them  to  find  materials  quickly  in 
this  or  any  other  library.  This  sort  of  work  will  be  carried  on 
systematically  in  the  future. 

SHOPS 

The  Mechanics’  Art  Department  is  equipped  to  meet  the 
needs  of  the  various  departments  of  the  School.  There  are  shops 
for  bench  wood  work,  machine  wood  work,  forging  and  moulding, 
machine  metal  work,  a  stock  room  with  machinery,  and  an  office 
and  conference  room.  They  are  equipped  with  representative  mod¬ 
ern  mechanics’  tools  and  machinery.  The  light  and  ventilation  in 
the  shops  are  of  the  same  standard  as  in  the  class  rooms. 

STUDIOS 

The  Fine  Arts  Department  has  three  well-equipped  rooms, 
one  of  which  is  especially  designed  for  clay  modelling.  The  depart¬ 
ment  has  a  growing  collection  of  casts,  still  life,  photographs  and 
lantern  slides  of  art  works,  and  books  on  art  topics. 

LABORATORIES 

The  attention  given  to  nature  study  and  to  laboratory  lessons 


24 


in  connection  with  geography  in  the  lower  classes  makes  necessary 
a  special  nature  study  laboratory,  which  is  used  also  by  the  student 
teachers  in  their  training.  Besides  this,  there  are  laboratories  for 
the  classes  in  biology,  physics,  and  chemistry,  with  thorough  equip¬ 
ment  for  both  elementary  and  advanced  work. 


GREENHOUSE 

On  the  roof  of  the  adjoining  building,  a  greenhouse  has  been 
erected.  There  the  pupils  have  practical  experience  in  planting, 
potting,  pollination,  and  the  general  care  of  flowers  and  vegetables. 

Hyacinths,  tulips,  sweet  peas,  daffodils,  lillies,  lillies  of  the  val¬ 
ley,  petunias,  nasturtiums,  fresia,  tomatoes,  beans,  lettuce,  radishes 
have  been  successfully  raised  from  the  seed  and  bulbs. 


DOMESTIC  SCIENCE  AND  ART  ROOMS 

On  the  second  floor  are  the  rooms  given  over  to  domestic  sci¬ 
ence.  Immediately  above  are  those  devoted  to  domestic  art.  One 
of  the  rooms  in  each  department  is  equipped  for  the  younger  chil¬ 
dren  and  one  for  the  special  work  of  the  older  girls. 


HOUSEHOLD  ARTS  COURSE 

In  October,  1915,  the  School  rented  an  apartment  at  5  West 
65th  Street.  The  selection,  decorating  and  furnishing  afforded 
most  valuable  household  arts  work  and  the  use  of  the  apartment 
as  a  special  laboratory  for  various  classes  has  proved  a  great  satis¬ 
faction.  Four  teachers  of  the  School  have  made  the  apartment 
their  home. 


25 


LUNCH  ROOM 


The  lunch  room  on  the  roof,  overlooking  Central  Park, 
is  a  bright  and  cheerful  room.  This  room,  where  pupils  and 
teachers  eat  together  in  orderly  fashion,  is  designed  to  preserve 
the  atmosphere  of  friendliness  which  prevades  our  School  and  add 
to  the  esprit  de  corps  of  the  student  body. 


26 


Organization 


ARRANGEMENT  OF  CLASSES 

The  School  seeks  to  avoid  the  evils  arising  on  the  one  hand 
from  classes  that  are  too  large,  and  on  the  other  from  such  as  are 
too  small.  Classes  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  students,  the  larger 
group  divided  into  two  or  three  sections  for  studies  like  mathe¬ 
matics  and  language,  which  require  closely  connected  work  from 
year  to  year,  seem  to  offer  the  happy  mean.  Smaller  groups  are 
made  up  from  time  to  time,  and  occasionally  a  pupil  is  permitted 
to  work  by  himself  in  some  subject  for  a  short  period.  The  aim  is 
to  meet,  as  best  we  can,  the  needs  of  each  individual,  and  the 
class  system  and  all  other  devices  are  means  to  that  end. 

Where,  in  exceptional  cases,  any  private  tutoring  is  neces¬ 
sary  for  a  time,  it  is  reduced  to  a  minimum,  and  is  done  if  possible 
by  members  of  the  school  corps,  as  it  will  thus  be  closely  related 
to  the  main  work,  and  can  be  discontinued  more  easily  when  the 
need  is  past. 

Each  group  of  thirty  is  in  charge  of  a  class  teacher,  who, 
brought  into  touch  with  every  member  of  the  class  by  a  share  in 
the  teaching,  has  the  special  function  of  co-ordinating  the  efforts 
of  all  the  various  teachers  and  avoiding  waste. 

HOME-WORK  AND  SUPERVISED  STUDY 

Home-work  is  not  necessarily  home-study.  The  assignments 
in  the  earlier  years  more  often  consist  in  manual  work,  or  the 
collecting  of  materials  and  information.  Required  home^study 


27 


gradually  increases  from  year  to  year  as  the  student  is  able  to 
work  more  independently.  Whenever  a  student  shows  the  need, 
additional  supervised  study  periods  are  arranged,  and  parents  will 
be  asked  to  make  special  provision  that  outside  interests  shall  not 
interfere  with  this  need. 

Work  lost  through  absence  should  be  made  up  as  early  as 
possible.  A  memorandum  of  lesson  assignments  can  be  secured 
from  the  registrar  at  any  time. 


REPORTS 

Written  reports  are  made  to  the  parents  of  pupils  four  times 
a  year.  Special  reports  are  sent  at  the  request  of  parents. 

The  School  always  welcomes  letters  from  parents  reporting 
the  progress  of  pupils  as  seen  from  the  home  side,  or  raising  prob¬ 
lems  that  need  special  consideration. 

Absence  or  tardiness  must  be  explained  by  a  written  state¬ 
ment  from  the  parent. 

Detention  after  school  hours  will  be  accounted  for,  on  re¬ 
quest,  by  a  card  from  the  teacher  stating  the  length  of  time  and 
the  cause  of  detention. 

PARENTS’  MEETINGS 

The  Parents  and  Teachers  Conference  of  the  Ethical  Culture 
School  was  instituted  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  the  parents  and 
the  school  into  close  and  mutually  helpful  relations.  This  organi¬ 
zation  is  managed  by  an  executive  committee  of  parents  and 
teachers,  and  holds  several  meetings  a  year  which  are  devoted  to 
the  discussion  of  pressing  school  problems.  Round  Table  confer¬ 
ences  have  been  found  valuable  for  the  discussion  of  more  inti- 


28 


mate  problems.  Mrs.  Dorothy  Canfield  Fisher’s  book,  “Mothers 
and  Children”  has  been  the  topic  of  discussion. 

Dancing  classes  have  been  continued  under  the  direction  of 
Miss  Alma  B.  Smith. 


VISITORS 

The  work  of  the  School  has  proved  to  be  of  interest  to  many 
who  are  engaged  upon  educational  and  other  social  problems. 
Visitors  are  welcome  to  the  School  any  school  day.  Teachers 
must,  however,  be  privileged  to  exclude  all  visitors  at  certain  times 
and  at  such  times  we  resort  to  the  method  of  a  notice  on  the  door, 
“No  Visitors.” 


FESTIVALS 

The  School  Festival  is  utilized  in  order  to  bring  into  relief  the 
great  heroes  and  events  in  history  and  the  great  seasonal  changes 
of  the  calendar.  The  festivals  and  commemorations  are  developed 
as  integral  parts  of  the  work  of  the  School,  being  apportioned  ap¬ 
propriately  among  the  several  grades  so  as  to  help  rather  than  dis¬ 
turb  their  regular  studies. 

The  usual  schedule  of  school  festivals  is  as  follows:  All 
Souls’  Day,  Thanksgiving,  Christmas,  Patriots’  Day,  May  Day, 
Class  Day  with  minor  presentations  of  works  studied  by  the  various 
grades. 


ASSEMBLIES 

An  important  feature  of  the  School  is  the  assembling  of  the 
students  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  a  sense  of  the  unity  of  the 
entire  School,  and  for  participation  in  entertainments  provided  by 


29 


some  portion  of  the  school  or  from  the  outside.  This  involves  at 
various  times  the  bringing  together  of  two  or  three  classes,  of  a 
whole  department,  or  of  the  entire  School.  Especial  opportunity  is 
given  for  platform  work  in  literary  and  musical  interpretation. 
The  various  industries  studied  also  are  discussed,  and  their  pro¬ 
cesses  illustrated  by  pupils  and  others.  Frequent  use  is  made  of 
the  stereopticon. 

Frequently  in  the  high  school  assembly,  Dr.  Felix  Adler  or 
one  of  his  associates  gives  a  twenty-minute  talk  on  some  prominent 
historical  character  or  some  person  or  event  of  current  interest. 


HEALTH  REGULATIONS 

A  statement  regarding  the  health  of  each  child  is  required  upon 
admission.  Particular  attention  is  given  in  the  School  to  the  ex¬ 
amination  of  sight  and  hearing;  when  defects  are  discovered,  par¬ 
ents  are  advised  to  consult  a  specialist. 

To  avoid  the  spread  of  any  infectious  disease,  parents  are  ex¬ 
pected  to  keep  children  at  home  when  there  is  any  suspicion  of 
serious  illness. 

A  note  is  required  stating  the  reason  for  absence;  and  after 
illness  or  exposure  to  infection  pupils  are  not  admitted  to  their 
classes  without  a  certificate  from  the  Board  of  Health  stating  that 
the  period  of  infection  has  expired. 

In  case  of  infectious  diseases,  compulsory  absence  from  school 
will  be  enforced  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the  Board  of 
Health. 


OFFICE  HOURS 

The  superintendent,  principals,  and  teachers  are  occupied  in 
the  classrooms  during  the  greater  part  of  the  school  session.  Per- 


30 


sons  desiring  to  consult  them  should  arrange  for  interviews  in  ad¬ 
vance. 

The  office  is  open  on  school  days  from  8:30  to  5;  and  on  Sat¬ 
urdays  from  9  to  10. 

All  financial  matters  should  be  taken  directly  to  the  financial 
secretary.  Visitors  and  those  desiring  conferences,  appointments, 
admission,  and  general  information  will  please  call  for  the  registrar. 


SCHOOL  HOURS 


Kindergarten  . 

Grades  . 

Grades  III-VII  . 

Grades  VIII  . 

Open  Air  Department 

High  School  . 

Normal  Departments 


.9  :oo-i2  :oo 
.9:00-12 130 
.8:45-  1  :oo 
8:55-  2:30 
,9:00-  3:00 
8:55-  .... 
9:30-  2:30 


Pupils  in  the  High  School  are  dismissed  according  to  individual 
programs. 


LUNCHEON 

Pupils  and  teachers  can  procure  their  mid-day  meal  at  moderate 
rates.  Cocoa,  milk,  soup,  sandwiches,  and  warm  lunches  are  served. 


STUDENTS'  ORGANIZATIONS 

Alumni  Association.  Graduates  of  elementary  school  from 
1887  to  I9°3i  High  School,  1904-1916.  President:  Richard  A. 
Wolff  (Class  of  1910). 


31 


Alumnae  Association.  Graduates  of  Kindergarten  Normal 
Training  Department  from  1888  to  1916.  President:  Henrietta  S. 
Girdansky  (Class  of  1902). 


High  School  organizations  are: 
Student  Council 
Boys’  Athletic  Association 
Girls’  Recreation  League 
“Inklings”  Board 
Dramatic  Club 


Glee  Club 
Mathematics  Club 
Science  Club 
Ethics  Club 


Each  class  is  allowed  one  party  a  year — Grade  VIII  and  Class 
Alpha  in  the  afternoon;  Beta,  Gamma,  and  Delta  have  evening 
parties. 


PUBLICATIONS 

The  high  school  periodical  “Inklings”  is  published  three  times 
a  year. 


32 


Admission  and  Terms 


New  students  are  admitted  at  the  beginning  of  the  school 
year  and  February  first.  Names  of  those  desirous  of  entering  at 
other  times  are  placed  on  the  waiting  list. 

The  retention  of  any  pupil  in  the  School  is  conditional  upon 
faithful  study  and  good  behavior.  The  right  is  reserved  to  request 
the  withdrawal  of  any  pupil  who  for  any  cause  is  a  detriment  to 
his  class. 


CHARGES  FOR  TUITION 


Kindergarten  . $130.00 

Grades  I-II  .  200.00 

Grades  III-IV  .  230.00 

Grades  V-VI  .  260.00 

Grades  VII-VIII  .  280.00 

Alpha-Beta  .  310.00 

Gamma-Delta  .  330.00 

Junior  Normal  .  125.00 

Senior  Normal  .  135.00 

Open  Air  School  .  250.00 


Patrons  are  held  financially  responsible  for  the  entire  school 
year,  unless  their  children  are  enrolled  after  the  first  quarter. 

Tuition  is  payable  in  advance;  three-fifths  on  October  1st  and 
two-fifths  on  February  1st.  Should  the  first  installment  of  tuition 


33 


remain  unpaid  on  February  ist,  or  the  second  on  June  ist,  the 
work  of  the  student  may  be  suspended  until  payment  has  been 
made,  but  such  suspension  shall  in  no  wise  be  considered  as  a 
breach  of  the  year’s  contract  for  tuition  fees. 

In  the  case  of  the  graduating  class  no  member  will  receive  his 
diploma  unless  all  school  bills  are  paid  in  full. 


CHARGES  FOR  BOOKS  AND  MATERIALS 


Kindergarten  . 

Grade  I  . 

Grades  II-IV  . 

Grades  V-VIII,  High  School, 
Normal  Training  Dep’ts. 


. $5-00 

. 10.00 

. 12.00 

Itemized  bills  rendered. 


SCHOLARSHIPS 

The  United  Relief  Works  of  the  Society  for  Ethical  Culture 
and  a  number  of  philanthropic  friends  of  the  School  provide  for  a 
number  of  scholarships  in  the  School  each  year.  These  scholar¬ 
ships  are  assigned  to  deserving  applicants,  and  exempt  the  recipient 
from  paying  all  or  part  of  the  annual  tuition  fee.  These  do  not 
cover  books  and  materials. 

Application  cards  should  be  filled  out  at  the  close  of  each 
year  in  case  a  renewal  of  scholarship  is  desired. 

Inquiries  relating  to  admission,  scholarships,  terms,  course  of 
study,  etc.,  should  be  made  to 

FRANKLIN  C.  LEWIS,  Superintendent. 


34 


Calendar  for  1916-1917 


September  12th  and  13th,  Tuesday 
and  Wednesday . 

September  19th,  Tuesday  .  .  . 

November  7th,  Tuesday  .  .  .  . 

November  29th,  noon,  Wednesday 
December  4th,  Monday  .  .  .  . 

December  22nd,  noon,  Friday  .  . 

January  2nd,  Tuesday . 

February  1st,  Thursday  .  .  .  . 

February  12th,  Monday  .  .  .  . 

February  22nd,  Thursday  .  .  . 


Entrance  Examinations 
Recitations  begin 
Election  Day — Holiday 
Thanksgiving  vacation  begins 
Recitations  begin 
Christmas  vacation  begins 
Recitations  begin 
Second  term  begins 
Lincoln’s  Birthday — Holiday 

Washington’s  Birthday — 
Holiday 

Spring  vacation  begins 
Recitations  begin 
School  closes 


March  30th,  Friday . 

April  9th,  Monday . . 


/ 


Candidates  for  college  are  expected  to  continue  their  work 
until  the  entrance  examinations  begin. 


All  pupils  should  enter  upon  their  work  at  the  beginning  of 
the  session. 


TOBIAS  A.  WRIGHT  PRESS,  N.  Y. 
MAY,  1918 
3000 


35 


